Dementia Resilience with Jill Lorentz

August 25, 2020 Taking care of your partner in the late stages is very hard, and almost always takes its toll on the caregiver/carepartner. It is a long goodbye, that wears us out, makes us feel guilty, makes us consider letting someone else take over the care. I would rather you think of it as the grieving process, rather than guilt for having to throw in the towel. Sometimes the caregiver has their health fail, before the person with the dementia. Then what happens? You are looking for an alternative in a trauma and crisis situation. That is the worst time to look for a community. We need to take on the task of searching for alternative care when you have time to visit places and decide which one will be the best fit. This show goes into to all the options you need to consider.

Hugs to you my friends, I know this is tough!

Jill

During this show, August 18, 2020, I am going in to great detail with home saftey. This is a concern which cannot be taken lightly. I explore over a 100 ways to keep your loved one, or the person you are caring for, safe while they are living at home. This is a show with many ideas you will find helpful and will not want to miss!

August11, 2020 I had the extreme pleasure to have Dr. Victoria Pelak, MD, on my show. She is a Professor of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Divisions of Neuro-ophthalmology and Behavioral Neurology, Director, Neuro-ophthalmology Fellowship, at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Dr Pelak specializes in vision perception and a syndrome of Alzheimer's which effects how the brain transmits what the eye processes and changes the view, balance and speech of the person afflicted. Dr. Pelak spells out the entirety of this syndrome in a language we can all understand. Below is a tip sheet for anyone living with this syndrome. If you have issues with any of the following, it may not have anything to do with your vision, but rather, your brain function. In this case, see a neurologist, not an eye doctor.

• images have decreased contrast and
  • Sentences, words, letters, get jumbled
  • images to appear and then disappear
  • vertigo
  • glare being very bright
  • pages could be moving
  • patients say I can see, but I can’t see
  • motor issues, stumbling into walls
  • seeing fragmented images

I have attached a tip sheet which can help people with this syndrome.

VISUAL DYSFUNCTION IN DEMENTIA
Home Safety Tips & Recommendations
UHN Multidisciplinary Memory Clinic
University of Toronto
Revised July 2012

Alison Lake OT, Maria Martinez MSW and David F. Tang-Wai MDCM FRCPC
There are several types of dementia that impact a persons vision; not because of an eye problem but because of a brain problem. They have a lot of problems seeing shades of the same colour and have increased success when there is a high degree of contrast – such as black on yellow.
The types of dementia that have an impact on vision are:
• Posterior cortical atrophy
• Corticobasal degeneration
• Dementia with Lewy bodies
Here are a few tips to optimize a person’s safety and independence in their own home.
GENERAL ENVIRONMENT:
Ø Simplify the environment
o Remove clutter and objects no longer in use; keep pathways clear.
o Remove unsafe furniture and accents: i.e. low height stools, chairs or tables.
o Options to decrease the potential falls risk from scatter rugs and door mats:

-Remove unsafe scatter rugs/mats
-Install non-slip under-padding

• Replace with rugs/mats with a rubber backing
• Secure all edges with double sided carpet tape (not for outdoor use)

o Relocate and secure trailing cords that are in high traffic areas.
o Ensure adequate lighting: use night lights, install extra lights fixtures.
o Leave lights on prior to nightfall.
o Diffuse bright light areas. Reduce glare by covering windows with binds,
shades or sheer curtains to block direct bright sunlight. Avoid using bare light bulbs without shades.
o Obtain a door alarm and /or safety lock.
o Place stickers on large glass windows or large glass doors to prevent people from bumping or walking into to them.

Ø Increase contrast
o Label room doors; use yellow paper with black writing.
o Paint doorframes and light switch plates in a contrasting colour to the wall.
o Contrasting colour dot to mark the number/button to release automatic door.
o Contrasting colour strips (paint or tape) or tactile cue at top and bottom of
stairs, as well as on the edge of each individual step (both inside and outside).

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o Use contrasting coloured adhesive strips to mark pathways to important areas – bathroom, kitchen, living room, laundry.

August 4, 2020 This show is about keeping your emotions in check during trying times. You may want to ask for help but don't know who or how to ask. I am taking a strong comprehensive new approach to this subject. You do not want to miss this podcast!

July 28, 2020 FTD or Frontotemporal Degeneration is a barely known disease under the dementia umbrella. It generally effects people between the ages of 44-64. It comes in a few forms, affecting behavioral, language and motor skills. This is a very difficult disease with symptoms that are incredibly hard for caregivers and care partners to live with. This show explores the vast symptoms and when they will most likely occur. Email me if you would like a copy of the scale [email protected]